Dumb Tattoos: Rapper Edition

I've long accepted that rappers are the new rock stars, but how dare they also take the throne for dumb tattoos away from the hesher/beardo crowd? Below is a photo of T-Pain's new Facebook tattoo.

This comes on the heels of the whole Gucci Mane ice cream tattoo fiasco. What the hell is going on here, people?

Below: a favorite I took of a fine red-haired Caucasian specimen on the L train (duh). Time to up the ante, hipsters.

Speaking of tattoos: I'm now officially in the process of figuring out what to do with Texas. It's way too frustrating when US citizens ask me what state it is (c'mon son, TX has brand awareness on lock!). I also hate being a TX poseur in lieu of actually explaining to folks that I got it out of commie guilt.

It's either going to be removed or covered—but since the latter is so much more painful and dumb, that seems to be the way it's headed. Ideally, I'd like to reproduce the Into Another logo in the self-titled LP's colors. Or let someone like this guy go to town. Decisions, decisions...

Best Worst Idea: Design Anberlin's Tattoo Contest

It's been a banner week for dumb shit.

Just when I got done reeling from the auto-tune awesomeness of Vampires Everywhere!'s "Immortal Love," another fantastic impossible-to-ignore piece of cross-marketing synergy via Live Nation came through my inbox like a brown baby boy.

The concept is simple: Anberlin members Joey and Christian have agreed to be tattooed with a design created by two of their fans. Seriously.

To add even more to the branding clusterfuck, someone named Ruthless from the TLC show LA Ink will administer the tattoo. Though suggested themes include orthodox iconography, Gaelic art and "luck of the Irish," the submissions thus far have been varied at best (see below). They're actively seeking contestants through October 22, so you can get in on the action—as long as you're confident you can take on some of these masterpieces.

Then there's a public vote that presumably sways the final selections, and a quick perusal of the official rules states that there's no cash prize—just the honor of having your artistic vision emblazoned on the daring two. In other words, THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH WITH IT.

Stop making this bloggy-style thing so easy for me. I might actually start doing it regularly.